UK research: 1 in 5 witnesses do not perform CPR on victims

Researchers found that cardiac arrest survival rates remain low in the U.K. due to the lack of knowledge and skills to perform CPR

By EMS1 Staff

LONDON — New research funded by the British Heart Foundation says that one in five adults in the U.K. who witness someone collapse will not perform CPR.

University of Warwick reported that cardiac arrest survival rates remain low in the U.K. The British Heart Foundation, along with fire, rescue and ambulance services, hopes to train more young people in CPR to help save lives.

Researchers found that people were nearly three times more likely to perform CPR if they had already received training. (Photo/City of Lexington)

University of Warwick researchers surveyed 2,000 people across the country to find out how likely people were to perform CPR on a victim suffering cardiac arrest. Researchers found that people were nearly three times more likely to perform CPR if they had already received training.

Survival rates for out of hospital cardiac arrest in the U.K., according to the report, are low, with less than one in 10 victims surviving.

The survey revealed:

89 percent of respondents believe CPR should be taught in all U.K. schools

40 percent stated they lacked the skills and knowledge to perform CPR

"CPR is a vital step in the chain of survival after a cardiac arrest," Gavin Perkins, professor of critical care medicine at the University of Warwick, said. "The chance of surviving is almost zero if people collapse and receive no bystander CPR until the emergency services arrive. Thousands of deaths could be prevented if more people learn CPR."

This year, more than 150,000 people across the U.K. will be trained in CPR in the largest event of its kind

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